Chapter 61 Chapter Sixty-One - Zarseti
Knowledge is power…everyone knows this.
What people neglect to mention is the burden that follows suit. Imagine knowing every possible choice each person will make before they’ve even learned there is a decision before them… it’s a powerful thing. But being the one to guide each person, to ensure they follow the right path and preserve the future…well, that is the burden I bear.
For thirty thousand years I have worked tirelessly to unite these people under one banner, to allow them to come together and fight as one mighty force, and now it’s time for me to break my silence. It’s time they all learned of the peril that awaits them so they may prepare themselves for battle.
I appear before the grand, ornate doors of the Kartheca’s meeting hall, feeling the magic radiating from within and hearing the whispered conversations clear as a bell. I push open the doors and step into the large, stone chamber breathing, in the serene energy of the room.
As I enter, each of my daughters, and our guests, rise from their seats around the grand table.
“Mother,” my daughters welcome me, nodding their heads in respectful unison, the flames within the hanging lanterns illuminating the hall making their skin glitter and eyes shine like golden fire. My daughters are one of my greatest achievements, but still, my heart aches when I enter and see one face missing from them.
I push back the grief and smile in greeting at each of my daughters and the faces of our guests.
“You took your time,” Oshmin comments with a suspicious tone, leaning against a pillar only a few feet behind Yildiz, who looks back to throw him a glare. Though he sounds suspicious, I sense his concern within.
However, I must admit, the power exuding from Yildiz has me in awe. As the first Demi-Goddess, making her the Goddess of Truth, she has adapted to the role spectacularly well, as I knew she would. Plus I enjoy seeing her knock sense into Oshmin.
“I am right on time. You are simply impatient,” I say, unperturbed.
“We have assembled everyone as you requested, Mother,” announces my dear daughter Feriha.
“Thank you very much.” I walk around the table, extending my hand to King Sebastian of Atlesper, standing tall and proud beside his Queen, Lemuel. “A pleasure to see your majesties again,” I greet them warmly.
“Your Grace, you look as fabulous as you did the last time we met,” Sebastian compliments as he takes and kisses my hand. I chuckle at his playful nature. He is such a joyful soul.
“We are honoured to be invited, though neither of us is sure why,” says Lemuel respectfully but with understandable reservations as we shake hands.
“I promise all will be explained.” I continue walking around the table, greeting the High Priestess of the makkari, Isolde, with a warm smile. “Wonderful to see you again under better circumstances.”
She smiles, nodding her head graciously as her strong and protective animai Valeria, keeps her arm wrapped tightly around her waist. I’m glad to see and feel that time has only strengthened their bond, as it has for all the animais in this room.
“We were honoured by your invitation,” says Isolde humbly.
“Well, she was honoured, I was suspicious. You know, since the last time we were here it nearly cost her, her life,” says Valeria with a bitter smile.
“Val,” Isolde admonishes her, though I can tell there’s not an ounce of remorse within the human, nor should there be. She is strong-willed and stands for what is right and what she holds dear. It is just one of the many reasons she was perfect for Isolde, just as Isolde’s patience and understanding can temper Valeria’s natural storm while equally embracing it.
“We have said we’re sorry only a million times,” Ceren interjects, crossing her arms in irritation. The most opinionated of my girls, but it’s what makes her, her. She wears her heart on her sleeve, the good and the bad.
“More than understandable, but I assure you no harm will come to anyone within these walls,” I promise Valeria. I walk around, smiling with joy as I finally get to meet my favourite Alpha – but don’t tell the other Alphas that. “Alpha Ambassador Amelia,” I chirp excitedly, reaching out and taking her hand, “It is a delight to finally meet you face to face.”
Two years ago Amelia became the first Alpha Ambassador in the world, representing all the packs in the United States and since then has fulfilled all that I knew she would. The packs are united and living in relative harmony and she’s given great purpose and belonging to the curs as well. After the success of establishing Alpha Amelia into the role, my daughters helped to establish Alpha Ambassadors all around the globe, from Alpha Ambassador Jianyu who oversees China, to Alpha Ambassador Sam of Australia and many more. There have been some hiccups, but overall it’s been a great success.
Amelia looks up at me, her turquoise eyes wide in surprise and a stunningly bashful blush on her cheeks. So strong, yet so humble.
“The honour is all mine, Goddess Zarseti,” she utters in awe as we shake hands.
I look to her strapping animai standing proudly beside her, “And Luna Marcus, you gave me concern in the beginning, but I’m glad you found the right path in the end.”
His beautiful greenish-brown eyes stare at me wide-eyed as he nervously rubs the back of his head, “You knew about that?” he asks, shame evident in his voice.
“There is little I don’t know, especially when it concerns the pairings I make,” I inform him with a wink.
With a comforting smile, Amelia takes his hand in hers and immediately I feel his worries start to dissipate. My bonds are truly a wonderful thing.
“Oh! And congratulations on your pup!” I cheer excitedly.
Their heads whip to me with great speed, their eyes nearly erupting from their sockets. “PUP?!” they shout in unison.
I cock my head to the side, frowning in confusion. “Now I’m sure I didn’t get my timing wrong.” A sea of images fly past my vision, the scene before me changing yet simultaneously remaining the same. I rapidly let each scene replay a timeline of events before me, but the conclusion remains the same. There it is, the birth of their pup; crystal clear with no room for doubt, which means this future will not change, and for it to take place when it does, it means Amelia is currently carrying. “No, I’m definitely right on this one,” I say definitively.
“Um, mother,” Kadriye interjects. “I don’t think they knew she was pregnant yet.”
I look from my daughter to the shocked Alpha and Luna. “Oh. Whoops,” I chuckle light-heartedly. “Well, I’m bound to slip every now and then. Congratulations either way,” I say cheerfully.
Amelia slowly places her hand below her belly, her eyes glazing over as she goes silent. A second later she and Marcus are looking at each other in surprise. I take it her wolf confirmed the pregnancy. It seems the word of a prophetic Goddess was not proof enough.
“I’m pregnant…” Amelia says in awe.
“We’re having a pup,” Marcus beams with joy, capturing her face as he looks deep into their eyes. They exchange a loving embrace as the room erupts in congratulatory applause, but none as cheerful as the little ball of excitement rushing over and wrapping her arms around them.
“You’re having a baby!” Empress Mei squeals with excitement. “This is so exciting! Now the twins, Violet, Brody and Eren will have a new friend to play with,” she cheers.
Amelia chuckles and hugs her tight, “I’m not even thinking that far ahead, I’m still processing the news.”
Emperor Chris comes up to settle his excitable animai, placing a tender kiss on Amelia’s cheek as he shakes hands with Marcus, smiling with genuine joy for his friends. “Congratulations to you both, but to sound selfish, I’m just glad this will mean Bao Jing and Hei An will finally stop asking when they’re going to get another cousin,” he chuckles.
“Better than them asking for another sibling,” Marcus teases.
Mei’s eyes widen in panic.
“Now there’s a thought,” Chris teases, leaning down to kiss Mei’s temple.
She looks up at him, shaking her head fervently, “No way. No more babies.”
I chuckle at their oh-so-human antics, letting them enjoy the moment a fraction longer before I pull the rug out from under them.
I smile at Mei and Chris, nodding respectfully, “Lovely to see you again, Empress, and lovely to finally meet you, Emperor.”
“It’s an honour and a privilege,” says Chris humbly.
Mei smiles wide at me, “You remember me,” she chirps to the muffled giggles of my daughters and her animai as he kisses the top of her head.
“I have the memory of a dolphin,” I wink, as the scene before me shifts to show the arrival of the other Gods in just a moment. “Now if everyone would take their seats.”
I take my place, standing at the table as the others take their seats and Oshmin comes to stand behind Yildiz with his hands on her shoulders. Right on time, Morrtemis, Merlos and Ezillus arrive. Sebastian and Lemuel understandably tense at Merlos’ presence and her smirk doesn’t help matters so I do my best to release an extra wave of tranquillity over the room, the others look upon each God in surprise and reverence.
“Mother Morrtemis,” Amelia whispers in awe as she, Marcus and Chris lower their heads respectfully.
“What a warm welcome, and a hello to the six of you,” Morrtemis greets, acknowledging the presence of their wolves, their eyes glowing in acknowledgement of their maker.
“We’re all here, so this better be good,” Merlos says with disinterest.
“Lighten up, Merlos. When was the last time we were all gathered like this?” Ezillus teases, nudging her arm playfully.
“We’ve never been gathered like this,” she says brusquely.
“Exactly! That’s what makes it exciting.”
“Hey, all we need is Jartre and then between him, Oshmin and Merlos we’d hit the grumpy trifecta,” Morrtemis says with a mischievous grin.
“Now that you mention it, why aren’t Jartre or the raitruum here?” asks Oshmin, his suspicion unwavering.
“Because that would cause more problems than it solves.”
Morrtemis, Merlos and Ezillus take their places around the table as a hush falls over the room and all eyes look to me. Thirty thousand years have led to this first step, I must continue to tread carefully with each word I utter.
“I have gathered you all here to warn you of the battle that soon approaches,” I say with foreboding as Morrtemis’ eyes light up with excitement.